I have heard that one should pick a cruise ship with care, due to many factors. I've narrowed my choices to several, but am open to ideas. I value a quiet environment, good food, clean and hospital amenities. My choices so far are the oberoi pholae, sonesta sun or moon goddess. any feedback on these or others of similar quality? Also, is staying at the Mena House in Cairo just the best, or are there other choices just as captivating? thanks for any feedback on this issue, it seems to be driving my selection of tour packages.

Joy, <BR> <BR>I've been doing a lot of homework for our trip next year. The three boats you mentioned are ranked among the best on the nile. In September's issue of "Travel/Holiday" magazine there's a very good article on Nile cruises. It also mentions the boats that your choosing. <BR>Ambercrombie has two boats on the Nile that they use, but I think they're extremely overpriced. The Mena House is said to be very nice, but not as moderned as the Meridian or the 4 seasons. <BR> <BR>Sincerely, <BR> <BR>Vince

We spent 2 nights at the Mena House and 1 at one the Sheraton's in Cairo. The Sheraton was ultra-modern, spacious, etc., but it could have been anywhere in the world. The Mena House was older, but clean and well equipped. Our room had a balcony with a view of the pyramids. However, it is in Giza, which is 20 minutes or so out of Cairo (which I took as a good thing - Cairo can be a little much). We sailed on one of the 2 Oberoi river cruisers. They had expanded all cabins (by taking out wall) so each was now a double-sized room with 2 tiny baths. Lots of woodwork, afternoon tea, iced towels upon return from shore excursion, top deck with tiny dip pool, mist tent, bar, longe chairs. Breakfast was buffet, and lunch or dinner alternated between 3-entree choice table service or buffet. Service was professional and efficient. I felt like I was going back in time to exotic Nile sailing, especially while looking at the shore go by from the deck.

thanks for the information. So, was the oberoi a better choice than the others you saw? If I am going to spend 5 nights on a ship, I really want the best. Would you take it again, or choose another? Did you stay at the Old Cataract per chance?

I stayed at the Mena House in 1995. The garden rooms were large enough, but kind of faded, saggy bed, etc. I was in a palace room for one night and it was huge and beautiful. Of course, the palace rooms are more expensive. In 1996, I met some people at the Sofitel le Sphinx, about a km or so from the Mena House, I think. This was a very nice, modern hotel and you can see the pyramids from here too. Unless I was going to stay in the palace wing of Mena House, I'd check out the Sofitel instead. I stayed at the Marriott in 1996 and I didn't like the area, but it was a very short cab ride to the Egyptian museum. <BR> <BR>My cruise was on one of the Sonesta boats and it was very good - 5 star.

Went w/ Maupintour last May and we were suppose to have the OP...but....things changed and they put us on the Sonesta Moon Goddess which was fine! Very nice....and each room had a balcony. Try for the OP first..then take the S MG ....I think having the balcony is the main draw...its wonderful to sit out there and watch Egypt drift by. The cabins on the S MG are large, I was a single w/ a double bed, 2 seater sofa, desk, tv, mini bar, nite stand, and a half bath tub in the bath room...def. the best and biggest cabin I"ve ever had on a river cruise. Good luck!

Whoops..sorry forgot. If you are staying in Cairo to see many sites..move your hotel. We did the Mena...and to walk out on your balcony and see those pyramids..RIGHT THERE!!!..tis quite an experience. Worth it. Then for in town we stayed at the Conrad International....fabulous room and this hotel was close to the intown stuff. Its a long way in from Giza and the pyramids to the museum...so move about yourself a bit. Again..good luck!

My sister and I are taking a tour with "Cloud Tours". We are scheduled to stay at the Ramses Hilton and the cruise boat is the "Lady Diana". Has anyone used this tour company and know of the hotel and cruise ship? <BR>Thanks!

I am planning a trip to Egypt either in the Fall or the beginning of next year and would like to go on a cruise of the Nile. I am interested in finding out which cruise you chose and would you recommend it.

Could you guys tell me if Presidential cruise line is ok?<BR>I´m planning a trip to Egypt beg of June and I couldn´t find any comment about this cruise line.<BR><BR>What about June´s wheather? I think it will be painful !<BR>regards to all<BR>gaby

Gaby, Egypt was very hot in late June two years ago. But, we managed and crowds were certainly greatly reduced. I recall when our tour bus pulled into the Pyrmids at Giza we were the only tourist there except for a couple in private vans/autos. Definitely hot. Need to watch fluid consumption. Guide did her best to keep us from standing in the direct sun when she was speaking on a particular site. River cruise was great and being on sun deck one can get breeze besides being under canpoy. Have a great time.<BR>Dick

We were there in mid-April and I have never been so hot in my life. After 10 days I could feel myself starting to get used to the heat. All the usual precautions - drink water (bottled from a sealed bottle), loose cotton clothese, stay out of sun. Major hotels are air conditioned and most tourists in hot season see things in early AM or PM and rest during heat of day.

To Gaby,<BR>I just came back from Egpt trip, and I would like to tell you about the Presidental Cruise, which I boaded. <BR>Good food and appropriate staffs service are served while poor amenity and rustic guest room are set.<BR><BR>I am not sure if other cruises do the same thing, but in my case,I was requested to pay many tips for the guide and staffs every day.(They demanded us to pay tips in the last day of the cruise. It costed 10EP per day for a guide & 10PE per day for stuffs.) <BR>